nationals

Nats to select No. 11 in 2021 First-Year Player Draft

October 13, 2020, 9:42am

The order for the 2021 First-Year Player Draft was unveiled Monday with the Nationals selecting at the No. 11 position in the first round. The 2021 draft will take place on July 11-13, 2021, in conjunction with the 2021 All-Star Game in Atlanta. The order repeats itself in the second round. So the Nats will pick No. 40 with their second selection. There are only 29 teams in the first two rounds because the Astros forfeited their picks as punishment for the sign-stealing scandal. These...

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Bourque and Read clear waivers, sent to Triple-A

October 13, 2020, 1:38pm

Nationals

Bourque and Read clear waivers, sent to Triple-A

The Nationals continue to clear space on their 40-man roster. The club announced this afternoon that right-hander James Bourque and catcher Raudy Read have cleared outright waivers and been assigned to Triple-A Fresno. The 40-man roster is at 34 players. Bourque, 27, appeared in six games this season, finishing with a 1-0 record and a 6.75 ERA over four innings of relief. He appeared in one game in 2019, allowing four runs on three hits over two-thirds of an inning. Early on in the 2020 season,...

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Soto a finalist for 2020 Hank Aaron Award

October 14, 2020, 8:16am

Nationals

Soto a finalist for 2020 Hank Aaron Award

Major League Baseball announced today that Nationals outfielder Juan Soto is a finalist for the 2020 Hank Aaron Award. Soto, 21, slashed .351/.490/.695 in winning the NL batting crown in just 47 games, smashing 13 homers with 37 RBIs. He had an OPS of 1.185, the highest of any qualified hitter since Barry Bonds in 2004. Since 1999, the Hank Aaron Award has recognized the "most outstanding regular season offensive performer in each league," according to an MLB release. Each club nominated one...

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Despite some rocky moments, Hudson feels good heading to offseason

October 15, 2020, 1:05pm

Nationals

Despite some rocky moments, Hudson feels good heading to offseason

The 2020 season did not go as planned for the Nationals on many levels. Reliever Daniel Hudson was one of those players who was never really able get rolling like he wanted to. In 21 appearances, Hudson finished 3-2 with a 6.10 ERA and a team- and career-high 10 saves. Contrast those numbers with the 24 games he played last season when traded to the Nats. Hudson went 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA and six saves. This year, he allowed 2.6 home runs per nine innings; last year in D.C. it was just 1.1. His...

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Teenagers Tomlin and Infante learning what it takes to succeed at pro level

October 27, 2020, 12:39pm

Nationals

Teenagers Tomlin and Infante learning what it takes to succeed at pro level

Fall instructional league workouts are completed for 2020. Now these Nationals prospects head home or get ready to play winter ball. It was interesting to hear updates on how the first professional experience was for a pair of teenagers. Infielders Quade Tomlin and Sammy Infante got their first taste of pro ball for the last month at the Nats spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Fla. Quade Tomlin is only 18, but he is no stranger to the Nationals, and being around professional...

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Parker focused on fastball, curveball and splitter during Florida workouts

October 18, 2020, 3:30am

Nationals

Parker focused on fastball, curveball and splitter during Florida workouts

Nationals 2020 fifth-round draft selection Mitchell Parker got into to his first professional instructional league intrasquad game this week against the Marlins. The left-hander threw two scoreless innings for the Nats. Instructional league workouts continue until Oct. 28 in West Palm Beach, Fla., at the Nats spring training facility. "I had my first game against another jersey," Parker said. "It was fun. It was enjoyable. Obviously, the nerves were a little bit there, but now that it is...

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A closer look at Jim Hickey's coaching philosophy

October 19, 2020, 7:54pm

Nationals

A closer look at Jim Hickey's coaching philosophy

New Nationals pitching coach Jim Hickey brings to the table a ton of experience, from the minor leagues to the majors. The last two seasons, he worked in the Dodgers organization as a special assistant for player development, working with their top prospects. Earlier, Hickey had worked 11 seasons as pitching coach with the Rays, where he spent a significant amount of time alongside Nats manager Davey Martinez. In 2018, he was the pitching coach for the Cubs. So being a pitching coach for a big...

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Barrera returns from "dark places," thrilled to resume playing baseball

October 21, 2020, 6:29am

Nationals

Barrera returns from "dark places," thrilled to resume playing baseball

After being reinstated by Major League Baseball following a suspension, Nationals catcher Tres Barrera is headed to the Dominican Republic this week to begin training camp for winter baseball. The 26-year-old will play for the Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League. The schedule calls for 30 games beginning on Nov. 15. This is welcome news for Barrera, who just two and a half months ago thought his entire baseball career might be in jeopardy. Barrera was suspended in late July for...

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Cluff makes plate adjustments to take advantage of quick-twitch strengths

October 25, 2020, 9:24am

Nationals

Cluff makes plate adjustments to take advantage of quick-twitch strengths

A couple of weeks ago, we got an update on shortstop Jackson Cluff and how much he valued his time this summer at the alternate training site in Fredericksburg. Cluff, 23, appreciated the opportunity to stand in against big league pitchers and learned a great deal about what it takes to be a professional baseball player and how to maintain at this level from veteran Brandon Snyder. "That was a great experience for him to be around veteran guys and see how they work and see how they go about...

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Mendoza focusing on shortening path to ball, increasing power

October 23, 2020, 3:11pm

Nationals

Mendoza focusing on shortening path to ball, increasing power

Nationals fall instructional league workouts wrap up over the weekend. Players now prepare for offseason conditioning and some will get extra at-bats in winter league competition. Rain has prevented the Nats from playing the intended full schedule, with over 20 inches of rain falling on South Florida during this month. I got the opportunity to check in with Nats hitting coordinator Troy Gingrich this week and we ran down a few of the hitters he worked with in West Palm Beach, Fla. Gingrich...

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MLB commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. to throw ceremonial first pitch on opening day

March 18, 2015, 7:09am

Nationals

MLB commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. to throw ceremonial first pitch on opening day

The Washington Nationals today announced that Robert D. Manfred Jr., the tenth Commissioner of Baseball, will throw the ceremonial first pitch on opening day at Nationals Park on Monday, April 6. "We are so honored that Commissioner Manfred has chosen to spend this historic opening day in Washington," said Mark D. Lerner, Vice Chairman and one of the Principal Owners of the Nationals. "His participation will be incredibly special as we kick off our 10-Year Anniversary season." More...

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Nationals claim Lucius Fox off waivers from Orioles

November 30, 2021, 10:36am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals claimed infielder Lucius Fox off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Fox, 24, hit .245 and posted a .353 on-base percentage with 15 doubles, five homers, 24 RBI, 37 walks, 19 stolen bases and 43 runs scored in 62 games across three levels of Kansas City's Minor League system in 2021. He entered the season rated by Baseball America as the No. 22 prospect in the...

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Nats announce scheduled game times for 2022 season

January 20, 2022, 6:16am

Nationals

Nats announce scheduled game times for 2022 season

The Nationals on Thursday morning announced the scheduled game times for the upcoming regular season. First pitch for opening day against the Mets at Citi Field is scheduled for a 1:10 p.m. start on Thursday, March 31. Both subsequent games of the opening series on Saturday and Sunday are also starting at 1:10 p.m., possibly including the first time Max Scherzer faces the Nats as a member of the Mets. The home opener at Nationals Park is scheduled for a 1:05 p.m. first pitch against the...

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The curious case at first base

January 19, 2022, 12:51pm

Nationals

Whenever the Nationals actually report to West Palm Beach, there will be plenty of position battles to dissect. You can pretty much go right up the middle of the field. Will Keibert Ruiz get a strong hold of the starting catcher's spot? Who will fill out the back ends of both the rotation and bullpen? Who will start in the middle part of the infield? Can Victor Robles earn his spot in center field back from Lane Thomas? You can even throw in questions about Carter Kieboom at third base. But...

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Longley brings important qualifications to new role with Nats

January 18, 2022, 9:40am

Nationals

Longley brings important qualifications to new role with Nats

This was always going to be an important offseason for the Nationals. Not in terms of signing big-name free agents or making a big splash on the trade market, but in terms of making significant changes and improvements on the minor league side to start this first full year of the rebuild off on the right foot. They have already signed a handful of veteran players to minor league deals to potentially help the major league roster and add depth to the upper levels of the farm system. They signed a...

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Nats announce new minor league player development staff (updated)

January 18, 2022, 7:13am

Nationals

Nats announce new minor league player development staff (updated)

The Nationals announced their 2022 minor league player development staff on Tuesday, with 14 new roles and more than 20 new members. This completes the process this offseason of completely revamping the department as the Nationals focus more on the growth of their minor league players during the first year of what is hoped to be a quick rebuild. General manager Mike Rizzo hinted at these changes coming to the organization during his press conference on the last day of the regular season. "We...

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Vaquero signs record deal for international prospect with Nats

January 15, 2022, 8:01am

Nationals

Vaquero signs record deal for international prospect with Nats

As has been widely expected, the Nationals officially announced the signing of Cuban outfielder Cristhian Vaquero as the international signing period opened today. The 17-year-old switch-hitter is considered by many the top prospect in this international class. The Nationals agreed to terms with 10 players from three different countries, headlined by Vaquero, to open this signing period. Vaquero has reportedly been signed to a $4,925,000 bonus, which is a new club record for an international...

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Nats expected to sign top international prospect Vaquero

January 14, 2022, 4:23am

Nationals

Nats expected to sign top international prospect Vaquero

Today marks an important day on the baseball calendar, especially for teams looking to bolster their farm systems. The international signing period begins today, as opposed to the traditional July 2 opening, and runs through Dec. 15, allowing teams to sign young talent from foreign countries to their lower level minor league teams. For the Nationals, this presents another opportunity to add young talent as they attempt to revamp their entire organization from top to bottom. But unlike the...

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Nats' most significant moves in January

January 07, 2022, 4:58am

Nationals

As the calendar turns to a new year this January, a new baseball season is on the horizon. When it will actually begin, however, remains to be seen. The lockout is currently keeping teams from making any major league roster moves, which is a shame because Mike Rizzo is usually very busy during the year's first month. No matter the pace of an offseason's free agent market, we have seen the Nationals general manager put together a competitive roster well before the start of spring training year...

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Nationals all in on developing pitching

December 04, 2020, 10:07am

Nationals

It is no secret that the Nationals have made a commitment to drafting and developing pitching. Cade Cavalli, their first-round pick in the 2020 First-Year Player Draft, is the most recent example of that strategy. The Nats have selected 34 pitchers in the first 10 rounds of the last five drafts, and if this year's draft was not shortened to just five rounds, that number would likely be higher. General manager Mike Rizzo built a championship team on starting pitching, and it is clear that he...